How does Shakespeare use dramatic devices in Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet in order to make it such an interesting, exciting and important scene?

Extracts from this document...

Introduction

Romeo and Juliet How does Shakespeare use dramatic devices in Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet in order to make it such an interesting, exciting and important scene? Romeo and Juliet is one the famous plays in the world. It was written by the revolutionary writer, William Shakespeare who changed the image of English. The play is about youth, love, honour, pride, disparity, humour and sorrow. It contains all these elements which make it very unique and extraordinary than any other. The author, Shakespeare uses different devices, brings contrast and uses emotion very skilfully to make the story very exciting, thrilling and anxious. The story is set in Verona in Italy. The story is about two lovers who love each other so much and will continue till the end of their lives. But they both from two strong opposite aristocratic families who oppose each other till the bitter end. Even the townspeople are involved in their feuds in the public. The atmosphere is tense, anxious and apprehensive because everyone knows that the relationship between the Montague and Capulet is very volatile and an enormous brawl could erupt any minute. "From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where the civil blood makes civil hands unclean" The presence of their civil unrest is present form the start mentioned in the chorus and this shows that this has a major influence in the tragic genre of the play. Romeo a Montague and Juliet a Capulet are lovers who will continue to love each other even till death even with fierce rivalry present between their families. ...read more.

Middle

He uses intimidating language expressed by Mercuitio, who is again used as a device to aggravate Tybalt, Tybalt: "Mercuitio, thou consortest with Romeo?" Mercutio:- " Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels?" This shows that Mercuitio deliberately misunderstood the meaning of Tybalt's meaning, making a remark that would aggravate and agitate Tybalt. This creates tension excitement for the audience. Although this scene is filled with apprehension and hostility, there is still some presence of humour presented by some characters such as Mercuitio who is used as a device to express humour in this scene, Benvolio:- "By my head, here comes the Capulets" Mercuitio:- " By my heals, I care not" This brings a contrast to the tense atmosphere created and also creates excitement for the audience. Shakespeare use of language between the characters is also used to contributes in the build up to the brawl which is very controversial in the story of the play, "Men's eyes were made to look and let them gaze I will not budge for no man's pleasure, I" This leads to creation of interest and excitement of the scene in the audience's mind and makes this a very significant scene in the play. Shakespeare has used another skill of contrasting and rhythm of scenes. The previous scene is filled with romance and brightness. Romeo and Juliet get married secretly because they know that their family will erupt into violence if they marry in public and cause the life of both the lovers. Friar Lawrence is a key character in this scene as he is the one who arranges the marriage. ...read more.

Conclusion

He tells a fair account of events, supporting neither family in greater extent. Overall this is a very dramatic and influential scene in the story of Romeo and Juliet. This scene sees the death two influential characters (Mercuitio and Tybalt) which deepens the hatred between the two families (Montagues and Capulets), causing the whole atmosphere and theme to change in the story. This scene is the pivot of the story of the play. It has turned the theme of youth, love and excitement to tragedy and misery. This is the turning point for Romeo and Juliet as Romeo is banished and Juliet is forced to marry Paris by her parents without knowing that she is already married to Romeo. This again creates tension and excitement and also shows the random nature of fate. The Prince's words at end of the scene were very dramatic indeed. He states Romeo is exiled but if he is found, he will be killed, "Let Romeo hence in haste, Else, when he is found, that hour is his last." This creates tension and suspense in the play and yet at the same time makes this play exhilarating. This scene contains the tense atmosphere, demeanour, and the use of intimidating language, the switching of the mood from gentleness to absolute hostility and aggravation and to the bitter death of the characters. These are all the components that make this a very dramatic, exciting, thrilling and yet tragic scene towards the audience and causes their curiosity and interest to enhance further in the play. Overall in my view this is a very dramatic and important scene in the Romeo and Juliet because it comprises of various qualities e.g. excitement, thrilling etc, as mentioned above. ...read more.

The above preview is unformatted text

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Romeo and Juliet section.

Related GCSE Romeo and Juliet essays

Mercutio's sense of honour for his friend makes him fight Tybalt. This conveys that Mercutio is a very loyal friend to Romeo even though he is very sarcastic yet a master of words; he can constitute a pun within seconds, as he is tremendously clever.

In one hour, the theatre was destroyed. Reconstruction of the Globe began immediately, and it was finished by June 1614. Shakespeare's plays were performed to a mix of bawdy peasants and wealthy noblemen, meaning he had to please both groups of people.

But Romeo would be happy and be dancing around. Benvolio would be standing away from every one. When Mercutio and Tybalt are fighting I would have them walking in a circle not taking their eyes off each other. Every one else would be jeering except Benvolio and Romeo who would be trying to brake the fight up.

he associates with Romeo because he was already angry with Romeo, bearing in mind that since the Capulet's party, Romeo had been distant with him and their other friends. Yet again, I think that Mercutio purposely pretends to misunderstand the word 'Consortest' which is a pun that Tybalt uses with no intentions to cause trouble.

But he does go back on his word which I will explain his reasons for doing this later on. Fate is evident form the very beginning of the play. The Chorus introduces fate for the first time when it says that Romeo and Juliet are "...star cross'd..."

tell her parents about Romeo and act selfish in faking her death, The Capulet's are selfish for making Juliet marry someone she doesn't want to, both families were selfish for continuing to fight and both families were selfish when killing each other.

and replaced with Juliet earlier youthful behaviour as she as now degraded herself to begging Lord Capulet to do as she pleased. This would cause the Elizabethan audience to sympathise with Juliet and her future actions of suicide, as they now can see how desperate she is to still love

tool that Shakespeare employs to make the pair?s love seem ever more fragile and delicate and their relationship is the only respite of the audience?s from the dangerous and brutal world pressing against their love. Act 3 Scene 1 is the scene directly after the marriage of Romeo and Juliet,